Best of ORL 2025: Kids & Pets Winner Spotlights
Take a closer look at this year's first place winners in the children and pet categories.
Power to the pooches! Discover the best in dog grooming at Plush Paws Pet Salon. Photo by Roberto Gonzalez
Winner: Pet Grooming | Plush Paws Pet Salon
Any pet parent knows that your special animal isn’t merely a pet, it’s a cherished member of the family. Oftentimes, we spend more on our fur babies than we do on ourselves. We blow up our friends’ phones with endless cute photos of these fur babies.
Well, after a visit to Plush Paws Pet Salon, those phones will never get a rest. Because how precious does your fur baby look fresh from a grooming?
Plush Paws’ seasoned professionals will take your pet’s haircut to a new level. They turn the form into art with a clip-clip here and a clip-clip there.
Plus, they’ll get all the areas your fur baby is unlikely to sit still for when you do it—nail trims, ear cleaning, teeth brushing and getting those tufts of hair that sprout up between the paw pads. Honestly, do you even want to try?
Then, your babies will return to you smelling even sweeter than they already are, especially if you opt for the apple oatmeal or coconut verbena shampoo. You can even get them a sugar scrub, sea salt scrub or organic mud bath. Again, how often do we do that for ourselves … (see the day spa spotlight.)
Should you want your doggo to run off some extra energy, Pooch & Play Daycare includes integrated open play. Such regular playtime with other dogs lets canines feel more comfortable around other dogs and people, helps them stay physically fit and teaches your dog positive behavior—less mischief at home!
Students are well on their way to successful careers after receiving a quality STEM education at Orlando Science Schools. Photo by Orlando Science schools
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Winner: Charter School | Orlando Science Schools
The mission of Orlando Science Schools (OSS) is to provide students with a well-rounded education with a special emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to help them reach their maximum potential and guide them to a rewarding career.
The public charter school endeavors to provide students with excellent leadership skills and the academic and social acumen they need for a successful college career, as well as to become a productive member of society. It places the highest priority on quality instruction and consistent student achievement. All students are monitored so they attain improved performance levels annually, as measured by county, state and national assessments.
To achieve its objectives, OSS provides students with innovative college- and career-ready curricula. It uses a variety of student assessment methods and school-climate surveys and consistently participates in district- and statewide-assessment programs in order to evaluate the effectiveness of its teaching and learning processes, and to improve the school environment.
OSS has high expectations of its students both academically and socially. In addition, it aims to develop student awareness of local and community needs as well as an understanding of national and global issues.
Zachary Walcott with instructor Iam Lugo during lessons at Goldfish Swim School in Winter Garden. Photo by Roberto Gonzalez.
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Winner: Kids Sports Activity | Goldfish Swim School
The younger a child starts a swim program, the more confident a swimmer he or she becomes. Maximize your child’s exposure to the water and help them develop safe habits that will last a lifetime at Goldfish Swim School.
Goldfish relies on empathy and incremental processes to ensure all children receive the peace of mind they need to strive during swim lessons. Each lesson has a 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio and allow for free makeup lessons and flexible scheduling. Lessons take place once a week and are available for babies through all skill levels to pro swim classes for experienced swimmers ages 4-12.
Once a child has mastered Goldfish’s pro swim levels, they have the opportunity to join the Goldfish Swim Force swim team. Students continue to work on their swimming skills in this friendly team environment, with in-water coaches encouraging students to master the four major swim strokes. A swim meet takes place once a quarter and lets students get a feel for competitive swimming.
Children can also practice their swimming skills during Family Swimming Pool hours. This allows them the chance to show off their progress to parents, spend time together and just feel more comfortable in the water. All pools are designed specifically for kids, and the facility has kid-friendly amenities such as a hair-drying station, swimsuit dryers and private changing rooms.
Should you wish to get some work done—or just relax—while your child is taking lessons, an air-conditioned viewing gallery is available.
Quest Kids Academy is a compassionate program that provides a supportive educational setting for children and teens with autism and other developmental disabilities. ©Quest Kids Academy
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Winner: Specialty School | Quest Kids Academy
A compassionate program that provides a supportive educational setting for children and teens with autism and other developmental disabilities, Quest Kids Academy is guided by the principles and procedures of ABA (applied behavior analysis) therapy, focusing on improving social interactions, communication and the overall quality of life by using principles of learning therapy.
Quest’s team works with families to carefully create a personalized education plan to meet the unique needs of every student. Evidence-based approaches are implemented in order to ensure that each child has an effective, enjoyable educational experience.
In the academy’s Early Academics program, emphasis is placed on building foundational core academics and strengthening vital classroom readiness skills. This program has a heavy focus on reading and math skills to prepare students for progression into less restrictive environments.
In the Life/Employment Readiness program, emphasis is placed on essential independence and vocational and social skills necessary to transition into adulthood. It is designed for students who desire to forego the pursuit of a standard diploma and/or traditional post-secondary programs.
The curriculum is designed to provide students with a wide range of academic, communication, social, leisure and practical skills to give them a well-rounded education, leading them toward greater independence.
In addition, afterschool care and ABA therapy services are available to any student enrolled in the academy.
Winner: Animal Hospital | Sand Lake Animal Clinic
When you go to the vet, you want to ensure your fur baby is in the best of hands. When you find a place that treats your baby like family, you keep it. That’s why so many Orlando magazine readers choose Sand Lake Animal Clinic.
The clinic has been in the community since 1980, providing comprehensive veterinary care, services and urgent care to pets in Central Florida and beyond. Its seven vets and staff are compassionate, attentive and animal lovers, and it shows.
In addition to a full complement of surgical procedures and emergency medical care, the Sand Lake team is dedicated to wellness and prevention, offering age-specific assessments and wellness exams to keep your pet healthy and thriving. Its early detection procedures use diagnostic testing to provide a complete picture of your pet’s health.
Among its advanced care treatments are pain management/orthopedics (pinpointing the animal’s source of discomfort, how to manage that pain and also the signs you should be looking for), behavior therapy (including behavioral counseling and a plan in working toward a solution) and pet allergies and dermatology (diagnosing and treating skin-related problems and provide effective treatments).
If you travel frequently with your pet, Sand Lake will also be sure you have all the correct documentation needed. You’ll have access to your pet’s records 24/7 in the pet portal; you can also order food, medicine and find pet owner resources online.
